[Hiring] Research Standards Coordinator @International Rescue Committee

Role Description

The Research Standards Coordinator plays a central operational role within the IRC Research Pillar, supporting the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in ensuring that all IRC-affiliated research involving human subjects meets the highest standards of ethical compliance, data protection, and regulatory accountability. The Coordinator manages the full lifecycle of IRB submissions and serves as the primary point of contact between research teams, IRB reviewers, board members, and external ethics bodies. This role also leads researcher training on SOPs, maintains research resources, organizes the Research Community of Practice, and facilitates Research Pillar-wide meetings.

Major Responsibilities

• IRB Administration and Coordination (approx. 40% of time)
  • Manage the full IRB submission lifecycle: receive and triage incoming protocols, assign sector-coded IRB numbers, conduct administrative completeness reviews, recommend review type to the IRB Chair, and serve as the ongoing point of contact between research teams and the IRB from submission through closeout.
  • Coordinate all review logistics: manage reviewer assignment and distribution of materials for expedited reviews; manage pre-meeting preparation for full board reviews including quorum confirmation, conflict of interest verification, agenda and materials distribution, and venue and remote call setup.
  • Draft all IRB decision letters and share with the IRB Chair for signature within 24 hours of the review decision; issue signed letters to research teams promptly thereafter.
  • Maintain complete, audit-ready records of all IRB actions and interactions and ensure all files are accurately stored in Box and the protocol tracking system in real time.
  • Manage ongoing regulatory compliance: maintain the IRB board roster and ethics certificate renewal schedule, manage OHRP registration and Federalwide Assurance (FWA) renewals, monitor protocol expiration dates, and prepare quarterly IRB update reports for the Institutional Official.
• Research Quality and Compliance Coordination (approx. 35% of time)
  • Design and deliver training for researchers and research teams on IRC SOPs for Data Collection, Data Analysis, and Data Management and Storage; track training completion and report on gaps to the Director of Research and IRB as part of quarterly compliance monitoring.
  • Maintain and regularly update all research forms, templates, and guidance materials on RescueNet.
  • Support quarterly SOP compliance monitoring in coordination with the IRB Chair and Data Science Research Lead.
  • Operate and maintain AI-enabled tools used in IRC’s research workflows; support the IRC AI for Research initiative.
• Research Team Support and Facilitation (approx. 25% of time)
  • Organize and oversee the IRC Research Community of Practice, including planning and facilitating regular convenings.
  • Organize and facilitate Research Pillar-wide meetings, including agenda preparation and logistics coordination.
  • Serve as a first point of contact for research teams navigating IRB and SOP requirements.
  • Support the IRC’s network of Data Champions by coordinating methodology clinics.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, research administration, law, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in research administration, IRB coordination, ethics compliance, or a closely related role.
• Experience designing and delivering training or capacity-building programs for research staff.
• Experience organizing and facilitating a community of practice, working group, or similar collaborative forum.
• Experience working in or with humanitarian, international development, or NGO research environments.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (in English).
• Proficiency with document management platforms and content management systems.
• Familiarity with data protection principles and research ethics frameworks.
• Collaborative working style with the ability to build relationships across teams.
• Comfort working with AI-enabled tools in a professional research context.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing IRB or research ethics review processes.
• CIP (Certified IRB Professional) certification or active progress toward certification.
• Experience with Pre-Analysis Plan registration processes.
• Familiarity with qualitative and mixed-methods research methodologies.
• Experience working with or implementing AI-enabled tools in a research context.

Working Environment

• Some international travel may be required to support field-based research activities (up to 10%).

Professional Standards

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality, and Accountability.